THE HEARTBREAK KID
RYAN: There’s a new movie reuniting the Farrelly Brothers with Benjamin Stiller, “The Heartbreak Kid.” And it’s a remake.
CAROLINE: I thought you were going to say it’s a remake of “There’s Something About Mary,” because this movie definitely went for the same kind of gags and gross-out jokes.
RYAN: Totally. And the lead girl, Malin Akerman, reminded me, not only physically but also in characterization, very much of Cameron Diaz.
CAROLINE: I’m pleased to say that this movie was really funny. I’m happy that we both liked it because it could have gone one of two ways – it could have totally sucked and been Ben Stiller overkill, or it could have been cute and funny. And it’s the latter, for sure.
RYAN: Overall, it’s a little too long, which disappointed me because there’s a part where I think it could have ended and been perfect. But the good news is that this is not Ben Stiller doing his over-the-top shtick. His real-life father, however, who also plays his father is this film, is way over-the-top and ridonkulous.
CAROLINE: Jerry Stiller didn’t bother me, though I see what you’re saying. It was just so nice to see Ben Stiller doing a normal romantic comedy lead role again. I’m so tired of his “Zoolander” and “Dodge Ball”-type characters, so it was great to see him be “There’s Something About Mary”-ish again. I much prefer that.
RYAN: Yeah, he didn’t do any weird voices; he’s just a regular guy. Though he does look like he’s wearing mascara throughout the film.
CAROLINE: Well, this just in, he’s an actor and on camera he may be wearing some makeup.
RYAN: There’s a great cameo at the end of the film that I loved, but I won’t give away who it is.
CAROLINE: And I loved the guy who played Ben’s best friend’s wife – she’s brilliant and bitchy and hilarious. The gist of the movie is that it’s great for the first half; it’s an adorable romantic comedy and I loved it and laughed a lot. Then in the second half it gets a little slapstick-y and over-the-top with the gags. They were clearly trying to replicate the hair gel scene in “There’s Something About Mary,” but LBH, they’ll never be able top that.
RYAN: Totally. There’s a really gratuitous scene involving a merkin; let’s just leave it at that.
CAROLINE: I did however very much enjoy the chemistry betwixt Ben Stiller and Michelle Monaghan.
RYAN: I really liked the music in the movie too.
CAROLINE: That Michelle Monaghan bears a striking resemblance in the way she moves her mouth to Juliette Lewis. It so reminded me of the flirty faces Juliette makes in “Cape Fear.”
RYAN: I didn’t see that at all. And I met Juliette Lewis and spoke to her for 45 minutes whilst on a job for Showtime. What’s your bottom line?
CAROLINE: I think I’d recommend this. It’s a lot of fun, but it doesn’t really feel like a fall movie. It seems more like something that would come out around Valentine’s Day. It’s not the greatest rom com of the year, but it’s funny and sweet, and you’ll like it if you enjoy Ben Stiller. It’s also sort of a breakout role for Malin Akerman, who, I might add, is not afraid to show her boobies.
RYAN: It’s a decent romantic comedy, but I’m not gonna buy the DVD or anything. I’d recommend it though.
CAROLINE: It’s cute and fun, and sometimes that’s just what a woman needs. And the last line of the film is perfect.